Practice metal...

[robtheplod]

Hi all
If I wanted to practice on a sheet of metal before attacking my car, what sort would I need to get to closely match the type (car is a classic mini) ?
Not sure what to ask for!

 

[weldingscotty803]

something like 0.8 1.0 or 1.2 mm mild steel sheet. i normally go for the latter as it gives you a bit more lea way when welding. i did a bit of work on a mini the other week and i used 1mm as thats all i had at the time.

hth atb scott

 

[robtheplod]

thanks, I'm trying to mimic the actual body thickness as much as possible so i get a feel for it...

also, I have the opportunity of a beginers welding course - a whole day for £75 - would the panel think it's worth it for a newbie, or best to get the kit and go for it??!!!

 

[irondarren]

£75 for a whole days course probaly isnt that bad, it should certainly get you started in the right direction.

 

[66-V8]

"I'm trying to mimic the actual body thickness as much as possible so i get a feel for it..."


Scrounge a discarded wing or door off your local bodybasher or scrappie.

 

[Gordon]

Hello,
Just a note about the cost of the day coarse.
Im doing a 12 week evening coarse 6.30pm - 9pm (2.5 hrs).
That cost me £105, but you if you qualifie you can get it paid for by ILA.
It just seems that if your paying £75 for one day, may be a evening coarse would be a better deal.
Depends on your situation i suppose.

 

[Paul.]

I reckon you probably wont learn much in a day, by the time the instructor has covered some mandatory health and safety, and shown you round the workshop, have a couple of tea breaks and a lunch stop, there wont be much welding / learning time left, I'd see if i could find someone who has attended the course and get their opinion, a properly structured evening course would be a better way to learn.

 

[Hitch]

I think id be inclined to agree with Paul. Although it depends on the class. If its only 2 or 3 people, and a decent day it might just be worth it.

Plenty of people have managed to learn sufficiently from the tutorials and forum of this very website, all for free, or maybe an optional donation!

 

[robtheplod]

thanks for the replies guys. I suppose my main concern is starting out i wont have any technique or know if i'm doing it right. I have read tons on here and learnt a lot, but not sure how that will translate in practice!!

 

[madkayaker]

scrap panels would be best to learn on. Offer bear token and T bags someone on here might be local and show you witch end to point at the mini.

 

[chunkolini]

I was thinking a day could set you up if you have some experience, but Paul has a great point re spending half the day on admin stuff.

Finding some body to give you some pointers could save you a load of grief, a mate who can weld or mate of a mate for a beer vouchers. I taught myself to Mig weld from scratch, never having seen a mig welder before and almost went mad, but I got there in the end. A mate showed me a few pointers after a fortnight and it all became clear(er). Even the guy walking past my garage shouting 'wire feed too fast' helped.

Good luck with it and stick at it, Chunko'.

 

[dopplershift]

Even the guy walking past my garage shouting 'wire feed too fast' helped.

Hahaha! Thats totally awesome! Love it when stuff like that happens!

 

[robtheplod]

without wanting to sound like billy-no-mates i don't really know anyone who welds, so this is all a bit of an adventure!!

 

[michael1703]

if youre near diss, see if diss accident repair have any scrap wings theyve cut off cars, or roy humphrey at eye, or
Competition Fabrications 01953 454573
Bonns Bank,Attleborough,NR14 1QD

 

[weldingscotty803]

i am sure there will be someone on here who would be willing to come round to yours and give you a few pointers. if you were closer mate i would let you have a rummage through my scrap bin and would give you a few pointers but your 3 hours away lol
i taught myself, like many on here by reading and getting stuck in on some scrap. as soon as i thought i had got it right i went to college for a year. 33 weeks @ 1 day a week. 300 quid it cost me. learnt alot but i am still learning all the time.
get reading mate
if you need any help or pointers etc just ask. its what most of us do.

hth scott

 

[Coo]

....but lets not all forget that some of that 'admin' stuff will be very important safety inofrmation.....

I don't think £75's too bad, considering you dont have any mates to help out.

We can all read and learn from here...but it's brilliant tohave someone there to say, yes that's good. !

 

[spookyrooky]

welll, i hope somebody in FIFE has got patience to show a newbie (HINT HINT HINT)